The personal training industry is evolving fast.

Clients expect more flexibility, more privacy and more personalised coaching experiences, while PTs increasingly operate as independent businesses balancing coaching, content, recovery and hybrid services.

According to UK fitness market data, gym membership reached 11.5 million in 2024 with the market growing to £5.9 billion, while the wider wellness economy is projected to exceed $8.5 trillion globally by 2027. (theguardian.com)

From private gyms and HYROX training to recovery spaces and hybrid coaching, these are the trends shaping modern personal training.
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1. Private Gyms Are Replacing The Traditional Gym Floor


More clients are moving away from overcrowded commercial gyms in favour of quieter, more premium environments. Boutique and private fitness concepts continue to grow faster than traditional gym models across Europe, driven by demand for privacy, flexibility and a more focused training experience.

That shift has accelerated the growth of concepts like SOLO60, where Personal Trainers can book fully private gyms by the hour and coach clients without interruptions, shared equipment or crowded gym floors.

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2. PTs Want More Flexibility & Better Margins


Modern PTs increasingly operate like independent businesses rather than traditional gym-floor freelancers. Many trainers are moving away from fixed-rent and commission-based models in favour of more flexible systems that allow them to scale sessions around their own schedules.

Models like SOLO60 reflect this shift directly, allowing trainers to keep 100% of what they earn while booking gyms, studios and treatment rooms only when needed.

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3. Wellness Is Becoming More Holistic


Fitness is no longer viewed purely through aesthetics or performance. McKinsey’s 2025 Future of Wellness report showed consumers increasingly associate wellness with sleep, mindfulness, nervous system regulation and emotional wellbeing. (mckinsey.com)

As a result, training environments themselves are becoming part of the wellness experience, with more clients seeking calmer, more adaptable spaces that reduce overstimulation and support focus.

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4. Recovery & Treatment Rooms Are Growing Fast


Recovery has become one of the fastest-growing categories in fitness. Sports therapy, physio, massage and mobility work are increasingly integrated into modern coaching programmes rather than treated as separate services. (europeanpti.com)

This has increased demand for treatment rooms bookable by the hour, allowing therapists and wellness professionals to operate flexibly without permanent clinic overheads.

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5. Hybrid Coaching Is Becoming Standard


The PT-client relationship now extends far beyond the gym floor. Programming, accountability check-ins, nutrition reviews and consultations increasingly happen online between physical sessions. Hybrid coaching models continue to outperform traditional session-only structures for long-term retention.

This is why modern training environments increasingly include dedicated online coaching setups like the PT Booth at SOLO60 Errol Street.

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6. HYROX & Performance Training Continue To Grow


Performance-led fitness continues to dominate the industry. HYROX participation grew from 175,000 competitors in 2023 to more than 650,000 globally by 2025, accelerating demand for sled tracks, SkiErgs, rowers and race-ready conditioning spaces.

At SOLO60, this shift can be seen across multiple locations, including the official HYROX affiliate studio at Errol Street alongside conditioning-focused spaces equipped for simulations, endurance sessions and performance coaching.

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7. Personalisation Is Becoming Non-Negotiable


Clients increasingly expect training programmes tailored to their goals, schedules and recovery needs. Wearables, data tracking and personalised programming continue to shape modern coaching models.

That personalisation now extends to the physical training environment itself, with more coaches choosing specialised spaces based on specific client needs - from heavy lifting and bodybuilding equipment to more functional setups or reformer-based training.

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8. Experience Matters As Much As Results


The modern fitness industry is increasingly experience-led. Lighting, atmosphere, music and environment now influence retention as much as programming quality - particularly in premium wellness markets.

This is why many PTs are prioritising environments where they can control lighting, playlists and temperature to create more intentional experiences for every client session.

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9. Women Are Driving Strength Training Growth


Strength training among women continues to grow rapidly across the industry. More women are prioritising longevity, confidence and performance over traditional aesthetic-driven fitness trends. (theguardian.com)

Privacy also plays an important role, which is one reason private gyms and quieter coaching environments continue to resonate strongly with female clients entering strength-based training.

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10. Technology & Flexible Access Are Reshaping Fitness


Convenience has become a major expectation in modern fitness. Consumers increasingly expect app-based booking, seamless access and flexible scheduling across every category of wellness.

At SOLO60, trainers can manage bookings, share invites with clients, download invoices and swap spaces directly through the app - reflecting the wider shift towards more flexible, on-demand fitness experiences.

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